User-configurable weather warning apparatus

ABSTRACT

User-configurable weather warning apparatuses, and methods for providing and configuring user-configurable weather warning apparatuses are presented. For example, according to one aspect, an apparatus comprising a processor and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive a first Special Area Message Encoding (SAME) message may be provided. The processor may be configured to, responsive to a user preference to trigger an alert system only in the event of a tornado warning: determine whether the first SAME message indicates a tornado warning; and in response to determining that the first SAME message indicates a tornado warning, trigger the alert system.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure is generally related to a user-configurableweather warning apparatus. Specifically, aspects of the disclosure aredirected to user-configurable weather warning apparatuses, and methodsfor providing and configuring user-configurable weather warningapparatuses.

BACKGROUND

Severe weather presents a significant risk to property and life. Inparticular, tornadoes, given both the magnitude of their destructivepower and the limited warning available, pose a serious danger.

An agency within the United States Department of Commerce, the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), operates the NOAA WeatherRadio All Hazards network of radio stations. These stations broadcastcontinuous weather updates based on conditions monitored by one or morelocal National Weather Service (NWS) offices. Radios with NOAA weathercapability may be used by individuals to monitor these updates.

Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) is a protocol utilized by the NOAAWeather Radio All Hazards network, as well as the Emergency Alert System(AES). SAME messages include digital “headers” that encode, among otherinformation, event codes. Each of these SAME header event codescorresponds to a specific event (e.g., avalanche warning, earthquakewarning, flash flood warning, tornado warning, etc.).

Individuals that desire to remain appraised of current weatherconditions may utilize a radio having NOAA weather capability. Such aradio may be configured to monitor for SAME messages and switch on orswitch to the appropriate channel when an alert is received. Asignificant issue associated with such capability, however, is the sheernumber of alerts that a typical radio having NOAA weather capability mayreceive. Many of these alerts are of little or no concern to the averageindividual.

Unlike many of these alerts, tornado warnings in particular, however,are often of great concern. In geographic areas such as “tornado alley”(i.e., the region of the United States located between the Appalachianand Rocky Mountains), tornadoes are a frequent and life threateningevent. In such areas, individuals routinely utilize radios having NOAAweather capability to monitor for alerts, particularly tornado warnings.Unfortunately, the volume of alerts received makes continuous monitoringimpractical (e.g., while sleeping).

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure. It is neither intended to identifykey or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope ofthe disclosure. The following summary merely presents some concepts ofthe disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the descriptionbelow.

According to one aspect, an apparatus comprising a processor and a RadioFrequency (RF) receiver configured to receive a first SAME message maybe provided. The processor may be configured to, responsive to a userpreference to trigger an alert system only in the event of a tornadowarning: determine whether the first SAME message indicates a tornadowarning; and in response to determining that the first SAME messageindicates a tornado warning, trigger the alert system.

In some embodiments, the processor may be configured to, responsive to auser preference to trigger the alert system in the event of any alert,trigger the alert system in response to receiving the first SAMEmessage.

In some embodiments, the processor may be configured to determinewhether the first SAME message indicates a tornado warning byidentifying a SAME header event code corresponding to a tornado warningwithin the first SAME message.

In some embodiments, the alert system may include at least one of anaudible warning and a visual warning. The audible warning may include anaudio message contained in the first SAME message. Additionally oralternatively, the audible warning may include an alert sound distinctfrom any sound contained within the first SAME message. In someembodiments, the visual warning may be of sufficient magnitude to alerta person who has a hearing impairment.

In some embodiments, the RF receiver may be configured to receive asecond SAME message at a time subsequent to a time at which the firstSAME message is received. The first SAME message may indicate a tornadowarning. The second SAME message may not indicate a tornado warning. Theprocessor may be configured to determine that the first SAME messageindicates a tornado warning and to determine that the second SAMEmessage does not indicate a tornado warning. In some embodiments, theprocessor may be configured to trigger the alert system in response todetermining that the first SAME message indicates a tornado warning, andto fail to trigger the alert system in response to determining that thesecond SAME message does not indicate a tornado warning. In someembodiments, the processor may be configured to trigger the alert systemto provide a first type of alert in response to determining that thefirst SAME message indicates a tornado warning, and to trigger the alertsystem to provide a second type of alert in response to determining thatthe second SAME message does not indicate a tornado warning. The firsttype of alert may be different from the second type of alert.

Other details and features will be described in the sections thatfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is pointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims. Features of the disclosure will become more apparent upon areview of this disclosure in its entirety, including the drawing figuresprovided herewith.

Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary weather warning system that includes auser-configurable weather warning apparatus in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary user-configurable weather warningapparatus in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary weather station having a weather warningsystem that includes a user-configurable weather warning apparatus inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary dedicated purpose weather warning systemthat includes a user-configurable weather warning apparatus inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary wearable weather warning system thatincludes a user-configurable weather warning apparatus in accordancewith one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary portable weather warning system thatincludes a user-configurable weather warning apparatus in accordancewith one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary methods for providing and configuringuser-configurable weather warning apparatuses in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary mobile device running an application forproviding user-configurable weather warnings in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary mobile device providing a weatherwarning in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary methods for providing and configuringuser-configurable weather warnings on a mobile device in accordance withone or more aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, variousembodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structuraland functional modifications may be made, without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that various connections between elements are discussed inthe following description. It is noted that these connections aregeneral and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect, andthat the specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.

As indicated above, a significant issue associated with continuousmonitoring of weather alerts is the sheer number of alerts that atypical radio having NOAA weather capability may receive. This problemis particularly acute in areas (e.g., “tornado alley”) where individualsmay have a heightened interest in monitoring for such alerts. Forexample, an individual residing in an area prone to tornados may be morelikely to desire to continuously monitor for weather alerts. At the sametime, a radio having NOAA weather capability operating in such a tornadoprone area is likely to receive a high volume of alerts (e.g., tornadowatches, severe thunderstorm watches, severe thunderstorm warnings,etc.). The ironic effect of the confluence of these phenomena is thatthe individuals most likely to benefit from continuously monitoringweather alerts may be those least likely to utilize continuousmonitoring. Take, for example, an individual residing in the “tornadoalley” region. Such an individual, may desire to continuously monitorfor weather alerts during the late evening and early morning hours(e.g., while sleeping). Because of the volume of extraneous (e.g.,non-tornado warning) alerts issued in such a tornado prone area,however, continuous monitoring may be impractical (e.g., the extraneousalerts may interfere with the individual's rest).

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary weather warning system that includes auser-configurable weather warning apparatus in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, warning system 100may include one or more buttons, switches, or menu options to enable auser to indicate a preference to only trigger an alert system inresponse to a tornado warning. For example, warning system 100 mayinclude “tornado” button 102. When a user of warning system 100 presses“tornado” button 102, warning system 100 may configure itself to onlytrigger an alert system in response to a tornado warning. In someembodiments, warning system 100 may include a visual indicator to informa user that warning system 100 is presently configured to only triggeran alert system in the event of a tornado warning. For example, warningsystem 100 may include visual indicator region 104. Visual indicatorregion 104 may include an indicator, for example a Light Emitting Diode(LED), corresponding to “tornado only” or “tornado warnings.” Such anLED may be illuminated when warning system 100 is configured to onlytrigger the alert system in the event of a tornado warning. Warningsystem 100 may also include one or more buttons, switches, or menuoptions to enable a user to indicate a preference to trigger an alertsystem in response to any or all alerts. For example, warning system 100may include “all alerts” button 106. When a user of warning system 100presses “all alerts” button 106, warning system 100 may configure itselfto trigger an alert system in response to any or all alerts. In someembodiments, warning system 100 may include a visual indicator to informa user that warning system 100 is presently configured to trigger analert system in the event of any or all alerts. For example, warningsystem 100 may include visual indicator region 104. Visual indicatorregion 104 may include an indicator, for example an LED, correspondingto “any alert” or “all alerts.” Such an LED may be illuminated whenwarning system 100 is configured to trigger the alert system in theevent of any or all alerts.

Warning system 100 may also include one or more components of an alertsystem for alerting a user of warning system 100 of a tornado warning orother alert. For example, warning system 100 may include speaker 108 forproviding an audible warning. In some embodiments the audible warningmay include an audio message contained in a SAME message associated withthe alert (e.g., a recording of a NOAA official or a computer generatedvoice providing additional information about the alert). Additionally oralternatively, the audible warning may include a tone or warning soundgenerated by warning system 100 in order to capture the attention of auser of warning system 100. In some embodiments, warning system 100 mayinclude one or more components for providing a user of warning system100 with a visual warning. For example, warning system 100 may include adisplay or LED indicator 110 for providing a user of warning system 100with a visual warning. In some embodiments, warning system 100 mayinclude one or more components for informing a user of warning system100 of the nature of the alert. For example, warning system 100 mayinclude alert type indicator region 112. Alert type indicator region 112may, for example, include one or more visual indicators (e.g., LEDs)corresponding to different possible alert types (e.g., advisory, watch,warning, etc.). In such embodiments, when an alert system associatedwith warning system 100 is triggered, alert type indicator region 112may provide a user of warning system 100 with additional informationpertaining to the alert that has triggered the alert system (e.g.,advisory, watch, warning, etc.).

As will be described in greater detail below, in accordance with aspectsof the disclosure, warning system 100 may receive a SAME message.Responsive to a user preference to trigger an alert system only in theevent of a tornado warning, a processor associated with warning system100 may determine whether the SAME message indicates a tornado warning,and, in response to determining that the SAME message indicates atornado warning, may trigger the alert system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary user-configurable weather warningapparatus in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.Referring to FIG. 2, apparatus 200 may include one or more processors.For example, apparatus 200 may include processor 202. Processor 202 maybe any processor (e.g., a microprocessor) capable of performing stepsdescribed herein. In some embodiments processor 202 may be a specialpurpose processor configured to perform specified predetermined steps(e.g., an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)). In someembodiments, processor 202 may be a general purpose processor orreconfigurable processor (e.g., a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)).Apparatus 200 may also include one or more memories. For example,apparatus 200 may include memory 204. Memory 204 may include one or moreforms of volatile or non-volatile storage for storing data orinstructions associated with apparatus 200. For example, memory 204 mayinclude one or more instruction sets for configuring processor 202 toperform one or more steps described herein. Apparatus 200 may alsoinclude one or more power sources. For example, apparatus 200 mayinclude power supply 206 for powering one or more components ofapparatus 200 (e.g., processor 202). Apparatus 200 may also include oneor more components for receiving messages or signals broadcast using aradio frequency. For example, apparatus 200 may include RF receiver 208.RF receiver 208 may be configured to receive messages or signalsassociated with one or more weather radio services via Rx interface 210(e.g., SAME messages broadcast via the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazardsnetwork). Rx interface 210 may include one or more antennas suitable forreceiving such messages or signals (e.g., an antenna suitable forreceiving a signal over a VHF frequency band at 162 MHz).

Apparatus 200 may include one or more components for communicatinginformation to and receiving information from a user of apparatus 200.For example, apparatus 200 may include a display, such as touch screendisplay 212. Processor 202 may utilize image processor 214 to generateimages for display to a user of apparatus 200 via touch screen display212. Processor 202 may utilize control interface 216 to receive inputfrom a user of apparatus 200 (e.g., by receiving input generated inresponse to a user of apparatus 200 contacting touch screen display212). Additionally or alternatively, apparatus 200 may include keypad218. Keypad 218 may include one or more buttons, switches, or keys forenabling a user of apparatus 200 to convey information to processor 202.Apparatus 200 may also include one or more status indicators. Forexample, apparatus 200 may include status LEDs 220. Status LEDs 220 maybe used to convey information to a user of apparatus 200 (e.g.,information relating to the configuration of processor 202).

Apparatus 200 may include one or more components associated with analert system. For example, apparatus 200 may include speech processor222 and speaker 224. Speech processor 222 may be configured to decodeone or more messages received via RF receiver 208 and broadcast speechencoded within such messages (e.g., a recording of a NOAA official or acomputer generated voice providing information about a received alert)via speaker 224. Additionally or alternatively, apparatus 200 mayinclude audible alarm 226. Audible alarm 226 may be a device suitablefor producing an audible noise to capture the attention of a user ofapparatus 200. For example, audible alarm 226 may be a buzzer or siren(e.g., a piezoelectric buzzer). Audible alarm 226 may produce an alertsound distinct from any sound contained within a received SAME message.In this respect, audible alarm 226 may be used to capture the attentionof a user of apparatus 200 before broadcasting the contents of areceived SAME message via speaker 224. In some embodiments, speaker 224may broadcast a tone or warning sound in addition to or in lieu ofactivating audible alarm 226. Additionally or alternatively, apparatus200 may provide a user of apparatus 200 with a visual warning. Forexample, touch screen display 212 may be utilized to provide a user ofapparatus 200 with a visual warning. In some embodiments, apparatus 200may include a device for producing a visual warning of sufficientmagnitude to alert a person who has a hearing impairment. For example,apparatus 200 may include strobe light 228. Processor 202 may beconfigured to active strobe light 228 in the event of one or morespecified alerts (e.g., a tornado warning).

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a user of apparatus 200may utilize one or more of apparatus 200's components to configureprocessor 202. For example, a user of apparatus 200 may utilize touchscreen display 212 or keypad 218 to indicate a preference to onlytrigger its alert system in response to a tornado warning. Responsive tosuch an indication, processor 202 may determine whether one or more SAMEmessages received by apparatus 200 (e.g., via RF receiver 208) indicatesa tornado warning, and, in response to determining that one or more SAMEmessages indicates a tornado warning, may trigger the alert system.

For example, a user of apparatus 200 may desire that one or morecomponents of apparatus 200's alert system be triggered only in theevent of a tornado warning. The user may utilize one or more ofapparatus 200's input means (e.g., touch screen display 212 or keypad218) to indicate this preference. Responsive to this indication, when aSAME message is received by apparatus 200 (e.g., via RF receiver 208),processor 202 may determine whether the SAME message indicates a tornadowarning. For example, processor 202 may examine the received SAMEmessage's header. If the header contains a SAME header event codecorresponding to a tornado warning (e.g., “TOR”), processor 202 maydetermine that the received SAME message indicates a tornado warning andmay trigger the alert system. If the header fails to contain a SAMEheader event code corresponding to a tornado warning, processor 202 maydetermine that the received SAME message does not indicate a tornadowarning and may fail to trigger the alert system.

Similarly, a user of apparatus 200 may desire that one or morecomponents of apparatus 200's alert system be triggered in the event ofany alert. The user may utilize one or more of apparatus 200's inputmeans (e.g., touch screen display 212 or keypad 218) to indicate thispreference. Responsive to this indication, when a SAME message isreceived by apparatus 200 (e.g., via RF receiver 208), processor 202 maytrigger the alert system.

Under certain circumstances, a user of apparatus 200 may desire thatapparatus 200's alert system be triggered to provide an alert inresponse to receiving a tornado warning and be triggered to provide adifferent type of alert in response to receiving an alert other than atornado warning. For example, the user may desire that audible alarm 226or strobe light 228 be activated in response to receiving a tornadowarning. The user may also desire that, subsequent to the activation ofaudible alarm 226 or strobe light 228, speaker 224 broadcast speechencoded within messages associated with the alert (e.g., a recording ofa NOAA official or a computer generated voice providing informationabout the alert). In contrast, the user may desire that when an alertother than a tornado warning is received, audible alarm 226 and strobelight 228 not be activated, but speaker 224 broadcast speech encodedwithin messages associated with the alert (e.g., a recording of a NOAAofficial or a computer generated voice providing information about thealert). The user may utilize one or more of apparatus 200's input means(e.g., touch screen display 212 or keypad 218) to indicate thesepreferences. Responsive to this indication, when a SAME message isreceived by apparatus 200 (e.g., via RF receiver 208), processor 202 maydetermine whether the SAME message indicates a tornado warning. Forexample, processor 202 may examine the received SAME message's header.If the header contains a SAME header event code corresponding to atornado warning (e.g., “TOR”), processor 202 may determine that thereceived SAME message indicates a tornado warning and may activateaudible alarm 226 or strobe light 228, and subsequently broadcast speechencoded within messages associated with the alert via speaker 224. Ifthe header fails to contain a SAME header event code corresponding to atornado warning, processor 202 may determine that the received SAMEmessage does not indicate a tornado warning and may fail to activateaudible alarm 226 or strobe light 228, and simply broadcast speechencoded within messages associated with the alert via speaker 224. Itwill be appreciated that such functionality may enable a user ofapparatus 200 to continuously monitor alerts in a more effective manner.For example, the user may desire to utilize such functionality duringsleeping hours. The user may decrease the volume of speaker 224 and thusnot be disturbed by extraneous alerts (e.g., alerts other than tornadowarnings). In the event of a tornado warning, however, the user may benotified via audible alarm 226 or strobe light 228, and may increase thevolume of speaker 224 in order to receive additional information (e.g.,via the broadcast of speech encoded within messages associated with thealert). In some embodiments, processor 202 may be configured to increasethe volume associated with speaker 224 automatically in response todetermining that the SAME message indicates a tornado warning.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary weather station having a weather warningsystem that includes a user-configurable weather warning apparatus inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure. Referring to FIG.3, weather station 300 may be a “personal” weather station that providesone or more users with information regarding current weather conditions(e.g., information received via the Internet or information received viaone or more weather sensors associated with weather station 300). Inaccordance with aspects of the disclosure, weather station 300 mayinclude a user-configurable weather warning apparatus that includes oneor more components, such as those described with respect to FIG. 2. Forexample, weather station 300 may include keypad 302. Keypad 302 may beutilized by a user of weather station 300 to indicate one or morepreferences regarding the user-configurable weather warning apparatus ofweather station 300 (e.g., whether one or more components of an alertsystem should be triggered only in response to an alert indicating atornado warning or in response to any alert). Weather station 300 mayalso include warning system display portion 304. Warning system displayportion 304 may include visual indicator region 306 for indicating oneor more preferences regarding the user-configurable weather warningapparatus of weather station 300 (e.g., whether one or more componentsof an alert system will be triggered only in response to an alertindicating a tornado warning or in response to any alert). Warningsystem display portion 304 may also include visual indictor 308 forproviding a user of weather station 300 with a visual warning in theevent of an alert (e.g., “TORNADO” in the event of an alert indicating atornado warning). Weather station 300 may also include one or morespeakers or audible alarms (not illustrated) for capturing the attentionof a user of weather station 300 when an alert is received orbroadcasting information associated with a received alert (e.g., arecording of a NOAA official or a computer generated voice providinginformation about the alert).

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary dedicated purpose weather warning systemthat includes a user-configurable weather warning apparatus inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure. Referring to FIG.4, dedicated purpose weather warning system 400 may be a devicededicated to providing weather warnings (e.g., a device akin to a smokealarm or carbon monoxide detector). In accordance with aspects of thedisclosure, dedicated purpose weather warning system 400 may include auser-configurable weather warning apparatus that includes one or morecomponents, such as those described with respect to FIG. 2. For example,dedicated purpose weather warning system 400 may include mode button402. Mode button 402 may be utilized by a user of dedicated purposeweather warning system 400 to indicate one or more preferences regardingthe user-configurable weather warning apparatus of dedicated purposeweather warning system 400 (e.g., whether one or more components of analert system should be triggered only in response to an alert indicatinga tornado warning or in response to any alert). Dedicated purposeweather warning system 400 may also include visual indicator region 404.Visual indicator region 404 may include one or more visual indicators(e.g., LEDs) for indicating one or more preferences regarding theuser-configurable weather warning apparatus of dedicated purpose weatherwarning system 400 (e.g., whether one or more components of an alertsystem will be triggered only in response to an alert indicating atornado warning or in response to any alert). Dedicated purpose weatherwarning system 400 may also include visual indictor 406 (e.g., a strobelight) for providing a user of dedicated purpose weather warning system400 with a visual warning in the event of an alert. Dedicated purposeweather warning system 400 may also include speaker 408 or one or moreaudible alarms (not illustrated) for capturing the attention of a userof dedicated purpose weather warning system 400 when an alert isreceived or broadcasting information associated with a received alert(e.g., a recording of a NOAA official or a computer generated voiceproviding information about the alert).

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary wearable weather warning system thatincludes a user-configurable weather warning apparatus in accordancewith one or more aspects of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5,wearable weather warning system 500 may be a “wearable” device (e.g., awatch). In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, wearable weatherwarning system 500 may include a user-configurable weather warningapparatus that includes one or more components, such as those describedwith respect to FIG. 2. For example, wearable weather warning system 500may include button 502. Button 502 may be utilized by a user of wearableweather warning system 500 to indicate one or more preferences regardingthe user-configurable weather warning apparatus of wearable weatherwarning system 500 (e.g., whether one or more components of an alertsystem should be triggered only in response to an alert indicating atornado warning or in response to any alert). Wearable weather warningsystem 500 may also include visual indicator region 504 for indicatingone or more preferences regarding the user-configurable weather warningapparatus of wearable weather warning system 500 (e.g., whether one ormore components of an alert system will be triggered only in response toan alert indicating a tornado warning or in response to any alert).Wearable weather warning system 500 may also include visual indictor 506for providing a user of wearable weather warning system 500 with avisual warning in the event of an alert (e.g., “TORNADO” in the event ofan alert indicating a tornado warning). Wearable weather warning system500 may also include one or more speakers or audible alarms (notillustrated) for capturing the attention of a user of wearable weatherwarning system 500 when an alert is received or broadcasting informationassociated with a received alert (e.g., a recording of a NOAA officialor a computer generated voice providing information about the alert).

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary portable weather warning system thatincludes a user-configurable weather warning apparatus in accordancewith one or more aspects of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6,portable weather warning system 600 may be any portable device (e.g., ahandheld radio). In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, portableweather warning system 600 may include a user-configurable weatherwarning apparatus that includes one or more components, such as thosedescribed with respect to FIG. 2. For example, portable weather warningsystem 600 may include button 602. Button 602 may be utilized by a userof portable weather warning system 600 to indicate one or morepreferences regarding the user-configurable weather warning apparatus ofportable weather warning system 600 (e.g., whether one or morecomponents of an alert system should be triggered only in response to analert indicating a tornado warning or in response to any alert).Portable weather warning system 600 may also include visual indicator604 for indicating one or more preferences regarding theuser-configurable weather warning apparatus of portable weather warningsystem 600 (e.g., whether one or more components of an alert system willbe triggered only in response to an alert indicating a tornado warningor in response to any alert). Portable weather warning system 600 mayfurther include visual indicator region 606 for informing a user ofportable weather warning system 600 of the nature of the alert (e.g.,advisory, watch, warning, etc.). Portable weather warning system 600 mayalso include visual indictor 608 for providing a user of portableweather warning system 600 with a visual warning in the event of analert. Portable weather warning system 600 may further include speaker610 or one or more audible alarms (not illustrated) for capturing theattention of a user of portable weather warning system 600 when an alertis received or broadcasting information associated with a received alert(e.g., a recording of a NOAA official or a computer generated voiceproviding information about the alert).

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary methods for providing and configuringuser-configurable weather warning apparatuses in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, at step 700, a userof a user-configurable weather warning apparatus may set a mode for theuser-configurable weather warning apparatus. For example, a user ofapparatus 200 may utilize touch screen display 212 or keypad 218 toindicate a preference to trigger apparatus 200's alert system only inthe event of a tornado warning. At step 702, a SAME message may bereceived. For example, RF receiver 208 may receive a SAME message via Rxinterface 210. At step 704, a determination may be made as to whetherthe user-configurable weather warning apparatus is set to a “tornadoonly” mode. For example, processor 202 may determine that apparatus 200is set to a “tornado only” mode due to the preference indicated, at step700, by the user of apparatus 200 to trigger apparatus 200's alertsystem only in the event of a tornado warning. In response todetermining that the user-configurable weather warning apparatus is setto a “tornado only” mode, at step 706, a determination may be made as towhether the received SAME message indicates a tornado warning. Forexample, processor 202 may examine the received SAME message's header todetermine whether the header contains a SAME header event codecorresponding to a tornado warning (e.g., “TOR”).

In response to determining that the received SAME message indicates atornado warning, at step 708, the alert system may be triggered. Forexample, in response to processor 202 determining that the received SAMEmessage's header contains a SAME header event code corresponding to atornado warning, processor 202 may trigger one or more of speechprocessor 222, speaker 224, audible alarm 226, and strobe light 228. Atstep 710, the alert system may be reset. For example, after the one ormore of speech processor 222, speaker 224, audible alarm 226, and strobelight 228 has been acknowledged by a user of apparatus 200 or aspecified period of time has lapsed, the alert system may be reset.Returning to step 706, in response to determining that the received SAMEmessage does not indicate a tornado warning, the method may return tostep 700. Returning to step 704, in response to determining that theuser-configurable weather warning apparatus is not set to a “tornadoonly” mode (e.g., to an “all alerts” mode), at step 708, the alertsystem may be triggered. For example, at step 700, rather than a user ofapparatus 200 utilizing touch screen display 212 or keypad 218 toindicate a preference to trigger apparatus 200's alert system only inthe event of a tornado warning, the user may have utilized touch screendisplay 212 or keypad 218 to indicate a preference to trigger apparatus200's alert system in the event of any alert, and processor 202 maytrigger one or more of speech processor 222, speaker 224, audible alarm226, and strobe light 228. As indicated above, at step 710, the alertsystem may be reset. For example, after the one or more of speechprocessor 222, speaker 224, audible alarm 226, and strobe light 228 hasbeen acknowledged by a user of apparatus 200 or a specified period oftime has lapsed, the alert system may be reset.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary mobile device running an application forproviding user-configurable weather warnings in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, mobile device 800may be any mobile computing platform (e.g., a smartphone, tabletcomputer, etc.). Mobile device 800 may include an application forproviding weather alerts and such an application may include userinterface (UI) 802. UI 802 may include one or more user-selectableoptions. For example, UI 802 may include user-selectable option 804 forturning mobile device 800's weather alert system on or off. UI 802 mayalso include user-selectable option 806 for indicating a user preferenceto trigger mobile device 800's alert system in the event of any weatheralert or only in the event of a tornado warning. In some embodiments, UI802 may include one or more user-selectable options for designating howmobile device 800's location should be determined. For example, UI 802may include user-selectable option 808 for allowing a user of mobiledevice 800 to designate that mobile device 800's location should bedetermined using one or more of a zip code provided by a user of mobiledevice 800, a location determined using a global positioning system(GPS) receiver associated with mobile device 800, or a locationdetermined using a terrestrial radio network receiver associated withmobile device 800.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, responsive to a user ofmobile device 800 initiating (or “turning on”) mobile device 800'sweather alert system (e.g., via user-selectable option 804), a processthread for monitoring weather alerts may be created and executed on oneor more processors of mobile device 800. In order to prevent or mitigateaccidental termination of the process thread by a user or anotherapplication executing on mobile device 800, the process thread may beuninterruptable or unaffected by application or system interrupts.

As mobile device 800 receives weather alerts, the process thread maydetermine whether an alert system associated with mobile device 800should be triggered. For example, if a user of mobile device 800 hasindicated that the alert system should be triggered in response to allweather alerts received (e.g., via user-selectable option 806), theprocess thread may trigger the alert system upon receiving a new weatheralert. Similarly, if a user of mobile device 800 has indicated that thealert system should be triggered in response to only weather alertsreceived that indicate a tornado warning (e.g., via user-selectableoption 806), the process thread may determine whether one or more of thereceived weather alerts indicates a tornado warning, and responsive todetermining that one or more of the received weather alerts indicates atornado warning, the process thread may trigger the alert system.

The alert system associated with mobile device 800 may include one ormore of a visual or audible indicator. For example, a speaker associatedwith mobile device 800 may be configured to produce one or more audiblesounds for capturing the attention of a user of mobile device 800 whenan alert is received or may broadcast information associated with areceived alert (e.g., a recording of a NOAA official or a computergenerated voice providing information about the alert). In someembodiments, mobile device 800 may utilize its UI to provide a visualweather warning to its user.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary mobile device providing a weatherwarning in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.Referring to FIG. 9, weather warning 900 may overlay one or more UIelements presently being (or last) utilized by the user. Weather warning900 may indicate the nature of the alert (e.g., “Tornado Warning!”). Insome embodiments, weather warning 900 may include additional informationabout the weather alert or a link to additional information about theweather alert. For example, weather warning 900 may include additionalinformation link 902 which may be any UI element that when selected bythe user provides additional information regarding the weather alert. Insome embodiments, weather warning 900 may include one or more optionsfor acknowledging the weather alert. For example, weather warning 900may include close button 904 which may be used to acknowledge theweather alert or remove weather warning 900 from mobile device 800'sactive UI. It will be appreciated, that due to the uninterruptableconfiguration of the process thread for monitoring weather alerts,acknowledging weather warning 900 (e.g., via close button 904) will haveno effect on the process thread, which will continue to monitor foradditional weather alerts.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary methods for providing and configuringuser-configurable weather warnings on a mobile device in accordance withone or more aspects of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10, at step1000, a UI associated with a weather warning application may be providedto a user of a mobile device. For example, UI 802 may be provided to auser of mobile device 800. At step 1002, a user may select auser-selectable option indicating when an alert system associated withthe mobile device should be triggered. For example, a user of mobiledevice 800 may utilize user-selectable option 806 to indicate that analert system associated with mobile device 800 should be triggered onlyin the event of a tornado warning. At step 1004, an uninterruptableprocess thread for monitoring weather alerts may be initiated. Forexample, a process thread for monitoring weather alerts may be initiatedon one or more processors of mobile device 800. The process thread formonitoring weather alerts may be configured to be unaffected byapplication or system interrupts. At step 1006, weather alerts arereceived. For example, mobile device 800 may receive one or more weatheralerts.

At step 1008, a determination may be made as to whether the user hasindicated a preference to trigger the alert system only in the event ofa tornado warning. For example, based on the user of mobile device 800'sselection via user-selectable option 806, it may be determined that thealert system associated with mobile device 800 should only be triggeredin the event of a tornado warning. At step 1010, a determination may bemade as to whether one or more of the received weather alerts indicatesa tornado warning. For example, the process thread for monitoringweather alerts may determine that one or more of the received weatheralerts indicates a tornado warning. At step 1012, the alert system maybe triggered. For example, weather warning 900 may be displayed onmobile device 800's UI. At step 1014, the alert system may be reset. Forexample, a user of mobile device 800 may acknowledge weather warning 900(e.g., via close button 904) or a specified period of time may pass.Returning to step 1010, the process thread for monitoring weather alertsmay determine that none of the received weather alerts indicate atornado warning, and the process thread may fail to trigger the alertsystem and continue to monitor for additional weather alerts. Returningto step 1008, based on the user of mobile device 800's selection viauser-selectable option 806, it may be determined that the alert systemassociated with mobile device 800 should be triggered in the event ofany alert and, at step 1012, the alert system may be triggered. Forexample, at step 1002, a user of mobile device 800 may utilizeuser-selectable option 806 to indicate that an alert system associatedwith mobile device 800 should be triggered in the event of any alert. Asindicated above, at step 1014, the alert system may be reset. Forexample, a user of mobile device 800 may acknowledge weather warning 900(e.g., via close button 904) or a specified period of time may pass.

The functions and steps described herein may be embodied incomputer-usable data or computer-executable instructions, such as in oneor more program modules, executed by one or more computers or otherdevices to perform one or more functions described herein. Generally,program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types when executed by one or more processors in acomputer or other data processing device. The computer-executableinstructions may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as a harddisk, optical disk, removable storage media, solid state memory, RAM,etc. As will be appreciated, the functionality of the program modulesmay be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. Inaddition, the functionality may be embodied in whole or in part infirmware or hardware equivalents, such as integrated circuits,application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGA), and the like. Particular data structures may be usedto more effectively implement one or more aspects of the disclosure, andsuch data structures are contemplated to be within the scope of computerexecutable instructions and computer-usable data described herein.

Although not required, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat various aspects described herein may be embodied as a method, anapparatus, or as one or more computer-readable media storingcomputer-executable instructions. Accordingly, those aspects may takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment, an entirely firmware embodiment, or an embodiment combiningsoftware, hardware, and firmware aspects in any combination.

As described herein, the various methods and acts may be operativeacross one or more computing servers and one or more networks. Thefunctionality may be distributed in any manner, or may be located in asingle computing device (e.g., a server, a client computer, etc.).

Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, andvariations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occurto persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisdisclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the steps illustrated in the illustrative figures may beperformed in other than the recited order, and that one or more stepsillustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: providing an apparatuscomprising: a radio frequency (RF) receiver; an alert system configuredto provide alerts for one or more events in a first set of events; and adisplay screen configured to display a graphical user interfacecomprising a first user-selectable option associated with a first event,a second user-selectable option associated with a second event, and aplurality of different alert types; and configuring the apparatus to:receive one or more user inputs selecting a first alert type for thefirst event and second alert type for the second event; receive, fromone or more sensors, weather data; output, to a first display portion ofthe display screen, the weather data received from the one or moresensors; output, to a second display portion of the display screen, dataassociated with the one or more inputs; receive, via the RF receiver, aspecific area message encoding (SAME) message; determine whether theSAME message indicates the first event or the second event, wherein:responsive to a determination that the SAME message indicates the firstevent, trigger the alert system to output an alert of the first alerttype; and responsive to a determination that the SAME message indicatesthe second event, trigger the alert system to output an alert of thesecond alert type.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert system isconfigured to produce an audible warning.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the audible warning comprises an audio message encoded in theSAME message.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the audible warningcomprises an alert sound distinct from the audio message.
 5. The methodof claim 1, comprising configuring the apparatus to, output a visualwarning associated with one of the first event or the second event tothe display screen.
 6. The method of claim 1, comprising configuring theapparatus to, output a link to the display screen, the link, whenselected, provides additional information regarding one of the firstevent or the second event.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the one ormore user inputs are received via the display screen.
 8. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more visual indicators,the method comprising configuring the apparatus to: responsive to thedetermination that the SAME message indicates a tornado warning,indicate, via the one or more visual indicators, that the SAME messageindicates a tornado warning; and responsive to the determination thatthe SAME message indicates an event other than a tornado warning,indicate, via the one or more visual indicators, that the SAME messageindicates an event other than a tornado warning.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the apparatus comprises a speaker, the method comprisingconfiguring the apparatus to, responsive to the determination that theSAME message indicates a tornado warning, automatically increase avolume level associated with the speaker.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein determining whether the SAME message indicates the first eventor the second event comprises analyzing a header of the SAME message.11. The method of claim 10, comprising configuring the apparatus to,indicate that the apparatus is set to an option to trigger the alertsystem in response to a tornado warning and one or more events otherthan a tornado warning.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatuscomprises a wearable device, and wherein the configuring comprisesconfiguring the wearable device.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thewearable device comprises a watch, and wherein configuring the wearabledevice comprises configuring the watch.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the apparatus comprises a personal weather station configured toprovide information regarding current weather conditions, and whereinthe configuring comprises configuring the personal weather station. 15.The method of claim 14, comprising configuring the personal weatherstation to receive, via the Internet, the information regarding currentweather conditions.
 16. The method of claim 14, comprising configuringthe personal weather station to receive, via one or more sensorsassociated with the personal weather station, the information regardingcurrent weather conditions.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein theapparatus further comprises a display, and the apparatus is furtherconfigured to output, to the display, an interface element that whenselected, provides information related to a tornado warning.
 18. Anapparatus, comprising: a radio frequency (RF) receiver; an alert systemconfigured to provide alerts for one or more events in a first set ofevents; and a display screen configured to display a graphical userinterface comprising a first user-selectable option associated with afirst event, a second user-selectable option associated with a secondevent, and a plurality of different alert types, wherein the apparatusis configured to: receive one or more user inputs selecting a firstalert type for the first event and a second alert type for the secondevent; receive, from one or more sensors, weather data; output, to afirst display portion of the display screen, the weather data receivedfrom the one or more sensors; output, to a second display portion of thedisplay screen, data associated with the one or more user inputs;receive, via the RF receiver, a specific area message encoding (SAME)message; determine whether the SAME message indicates the first event orthe second event, wherein, responsive to a determination that the SAMEmessage indicates the first event, trigger the alert system to output analert of the first alert type; and responsive to a determination thatthe SAME message indicates the second event, trigger the alert system tooutput an alert of the second alert type.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein the alert system is configured to produce an audible warning.20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the audible warning comprises anaudio message encoded in the SAME message.
 21. The apparatus of claim20, wherein the audible warning comprises an alert sound distinct fromthe audio message.
 22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatusis configured to output a visual warning associated with one of thefirst event or the second event to the display screen.
 23. The apparatusof claim 18, wherein the apparatus is configured to output a link to thedisplay screen, the link, when selected, provides additional informationregarding one of the first event or the second event.
 24. The apparatusof claim 23, wherein the one or more user inputs are received via thedisplay screen.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatuscomprises one or more visual indicators, and wherein the apparatus isconfigured to: responsive to the determination that the SAME messageindicates a tornado warning, indicate, via the one or more visualindicators, that the SAME message indicates a tornado warning; andresponsive to the determination that the SAME message indicates an eventother than a tornado warning, indicate, via the one or more visualindicators, that the SAME message indicates an event other than atornado warning.
 26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatuscomprises a speaker, and wherein the apparatus is configured to,responsive to the determination that the SAME message indicates atornado warning, automatically increase a volume level associated withthe speaker.
 27. The apparatus of claim 18, determining whether the SAMEmessage indicates the first event or the second event comprisesanalyzing a header of the SAME message.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27,wherein the apparatus is configured to indicate that the apparatus isset to the option to trigger the alert system in response to a tornadowarning and one or more events other than a tornado warning.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus comprises a wearabledevice.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the wearable devicecomprises a watch.
 31. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatuscomprises a personal weather station configured to provide informationregarding current weather conditions.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31,wherein the personal weather station is configured to receive, via theInternet, the information regarding current weather conditions.
 33. Theapparatus of claim 31, wherein the personal weather station isconfigured to receive, via one or more sensors associated with thepersonal weather station, the information regarding current weatherconditions.
 34. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a display,and further configured to output, to the display, an interface elementthat when selected, provides information related to a tornado warning.